Rethymnon Crete
- September 8th (21st), 2010

Consecration of
a new temple dedicated to the Nativity of the Theotokos.

The Rite of the Dedication of a
new temple in Plataniés Rethymnon Crete, was performed by the Reverend
Metropolitans, Kirykos of Mesogaias and Lavreotikis and Parthenios of
Kition Cyprus, on September 8th the feast of the Nativity of the
Theotokos. Serving with them also were Hieromonk Amphilochios and
Hierodeacon Sozómenos. Antonios Markou gave a homily during the evening
part of the service. The faithful of Crete were joined by their brethren
from Greece and Cyprus.

The Genuine Orthodox Christians
of Crete, as did all Greek speaking areas at the time, underwent
persecution for their steadfast adherence to the Orthodox Faith against
ecumenism and modernism brought in by the acceptance of the papal
calendar. In Crete, this new and most pernicious heresy was prophesied
by the elder Father Parthenios (+1905) of Koudouma Monastery. Crete has
always kept spiritual ties with the GOC of Greece especially since it is
the birthplace of that great new pillar of the Orthodox Faith Saint
Matthew the New-confessor. Read
more of the history of the Orthodox struggle in Crete in this article,
in Greek, by Antonios Markou.